Submitted by Mitch Gross, Eversource.
BERLIN, Conn. (February 24, 2020) – As the ongoing crisis of dead, dying and hazardous trees continues to plague communities across Connecticut and threaten electric reliability, Eversource is investing more than $83 million in tree trimming and tree removal in 2020. The energy company’s comprehensive tree maintenance program is underway along roads in several communities around the state in an effort to fortify the electric distribution system and enhance reliability for customers.
“With the weakened state of impacted trees throughout Connecticut due to ongoing infestations by the gypsy moth and emerald ash borer, trimming and removing hazardous trees is vital,” said Eversource Vegetation Management Manager Alan Carey. “Our team of licensed arborists identifies compromised trees around the state that threaten the electric system and work closely with community leaders to carefully balance the aesthetics of neighborhoods and the need for reliable power for our customers.”
As part of its comprehensive vegetation management plan for 2020, Eversource will be trimming trees along more than 4,200 miles of roadside overhead distribution lines around the state. Among the 131 communities where tree trimming will be performed this year, some of the most extensive work is scheduled to be done in Waterbury along nearly 170 miles of city streets. Trees will also be trimmed along 124 miles of roads in Greenwich, 107 miles in Woodbury, 105 miles in New Milford and 101 miles in Westport. Other communities where tree work will be completed include Torrington, Stamford, Middletown, Washington and Wolcott. Eversource notifies customers in advance if work is necessary on their property.
In addition to the work Eversource crews do along roadways to minimize the effects of trees on electric reliability, the energy company reminds customers that homeowners are responsible for tree maintenance on their own property. That includes keeping branches away from the lower-voltage service wires connecting their homes and businesses to the main utility lines on the street. Eversource strongly recommends contacting a professional tree service to perform this work. Click here to see a short video about the energy company’s tree trimming efforts, and for more details on Eversource’s comprehensive vegetation management program, visit Eversource.com.
